Posts Tagged ‘Impressionable Minds’

The Path Of Difference: Preschool Teacher Certification

Friday, June 20th, 2008

If an individual is considering various careers that they wish to pursue or possibly changing career paths they may wish to look at the teaching profession. The profession of teacher is often a career that is highly esteemed. This is because teachers interact with young impressionable minds on an average of 30 hours a week in the classroom setting.

This noble profession is one that gives that special person an opportunity to be a great influence in the life of the young person. This is accomplished as teachers challenge their students to be all that they can be through the stimulation of the mind and to develop and quench a thirst for learning.

In fact it is often said that the most impressionable ages of a child are those early years. It could be easily argued that those formative years could be in the range of two to five years on the age.

And, in fact, if a career as a teacher is a path that an individual wishes to follow what better ages to interact with are those young lives or the preschoolers. Therefore, if considering becoming a teacher and with a special calling as a preschool teacher it is important to know what the role of a preschool teacher is, the education required and the preschool teacher certification needed to work with these young lives.

Role Of The Preschool Teacher

Before considering the process that leads to preschool teacher certification it is important to know what the role entails. That is because there are educational requirements, but even more importantly the individual that considers this career must have the appropriate personality and commitment to meet the needs of the preschoolers.

First of all, the role of the preschool teacher is to help cultivate the two to five-year-old child’s entire person. The scope of that role includes the development of the child’s social, physical, creative and intellectual aspects. Specifically the preschool teacher will work with the child individually and in a group setting to develop these qualities through a certified teaching plan.

The importance of this role cannot be underscored enough because of the basics that the child is learning. That importance is that the fundamentals being formed through these formative years will help to provide the basic foundation of educational opportunities to come.

The Education Required

In order for an individual to qualify as a preschool teacher they must obtain their preschool teacher certification. In addition, it is important to understand that preschool teacher certification requirements vary from state to state. However, there are basic requirements and milestones that need to be reached before certification can be attained. Specifically, there needs to be educational and experiential requirements that are achieved.

The educational requirements needed to obtain preschool teacher certification can vary anywhere from a simple high school diploma to a B.A. degree in early childhood education. However, is important to note that typically the more education that an individual receives the greater their worth to the child and family that they are interacting with. In addition, they will be a greater asset to the Child development Center. In addition, generally the size of one’s paycheck is in direct proportion to one’s education.

Also, an important aspect to a preschool teacher’s education is the experience that they bring to the Child Development Center. This is because in order to receive certification as a preschool teacher one needs to have a certain amount of hours clocked in a preschool setting.

Forming Young Minds: Preschool Teacher

Sunday, June 15th, 2008

There are many rewarding jobs that individuals can train and educate themselves for. Often these rewarding jobs are careers such as social service workers, members of the clergy, holding public office, doctors, etc. These rewarding jobs are employment positions that not only help the individual to make a living, but provide additional rewards. One of those additional rewards includes the interaction with other people in life-changing ways that other jobs and simply do not offer.

Another one of those extraordinary jobs where an individual can have a tremendous impact is that of being a teacher. Often, a teacher has the opportunity to interact with young people and help to stimulate their thinking and expand the capability of the mind.

In addition, under the umbrella of being a teacher are many specific opportunities. Some of those opportunities include being a college professor, high school teacher and grade school teacher. In addition, is the opportunity to become a preschool teacher.

A preschool teacher is a unique career opportunity that has many associated advantages. Therefore, if considering a preschool teacher it is important to know how a preschool teacher is defined and what are the educational requirements?

What Is a Preschool Teacher?

A preschool teacher is that dedicated individual who works in a child enrichment center. Generally this individual works with children from the ages of two to five years old.

In addition, these dedicated individuals have a certain personality and the commitment to positively influence young impressionable minds. Often that personality that is exhibited is an individual who has a positive outlook on life, above average patience, ability to be a positive role model and work well with not only the students but the parents as well.

Often the center that preschool teacher may work in include daycare centers, elementary schools and certain corporate sponsored daycares. In addition, the curriculum that the preschool teacher follows consists of music, language, art, communication and recreational activities. Often a lesson plan is developed and followed by the staff.

Also, the qualified preschool teacher has the ability to interact with the child. This interaction allows the child to grow in confidence, become less shy and allow for growth in social skills.

Certification Process

In order for a preschool teacher to gain their certification there are certain educational and experiential requirements. Although many states differ regarding preschool teacher certification, many states require a certain amount of semester units comprised of early childhood education and general education. Often the semester units required for early childhood education are 24 semester units and at least 16 semester units in general education.

In addition, before a teacher can become certified, they must gain on-the-job experience. Again many states vary in how much experiences are required, but this experience must be obtained as a volunteer or employee within in a child development program. For example, some states may require that an individual trying to obtain certification must have at least six months of work experience in a certified Child development Center.